medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin

medicines for sleep

metoprolol

NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

phenobarbital

phenytoin

procarbazine

procyclidine

rasagiline

supplements like St. John's wort, kava kava, valerian

tamoxifen

theophylline

tramadol

tryptophan

Disclaimer:
Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

SECTION 4 of 5

How to Take paroxetine (Dosage)

Oral tablet

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly except upon the advice of your doctor. Stopping this medicine too quickly may cause serious side effects or your condition may worsen.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What Are You Taking This Medication For?

Depression

Brand: Paxil

Form: Oral Tablet

Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg

Your doctor should wait at least 1 week before increasing your dose. Changes in dose may cause unusual changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, or thoughts of hurting yourself.

Adult Dosage (ages 18 years and older)

The starting dose is 20 mg, taken once per day. The maximum dose is 50 mg, taken once per day.

Child Dosage (ages 0-17 years)

Dosage has not been established for people younger than 18 years.

Special considerations

Glaucoma: You should not take this drug if you have certain types of glaucoma because it may make your glaucoma worse.

History of seizures: Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures before starting this medication. It may cause or worsen seizures.

Warnings

Stopping the medication too quickly: You should not stop this medication to quickly. Stopping it too quickly could cause irritability, dizziness, or confusion. Talk to your doctor about a plan for stopping this drug.

You should not crush or chew the tablets. It may lessen how well the medication works.

Obsessive–compulsive disorder

Brand: Paxil

Form: Oral Tablet

Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg

Your doctor should wait at least 1 week before increasing your dose. Changes in dose may cause unusual changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, or thoughts of hurting yourself.

Adult Dosage (ages 18 years and older)

The starting dose is 20 mg, taken once per day The recommended dose is 40 mg, taken once per day. The maximum dose is 60 mg, taken once per day.

Child Dosage (ages 0-17 years)

Dosage has not been established for people younger than 18 years.

Special considerations

Glaucoma: You should not take this drug if you have certain types of glaucoma because it may make your glaucoma worse.

History of seizures: Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures before starting this medication. It may cause or worsen seizures.

Warnings

Stopping the medication too quickly: You should not stop this medication to quickly. Stopping it too quickly could cause irritability, dizziness, or confusion. Talk to your doctor about a plan for stopping this drug.

You should not crush or chew the tablets. It may lessen how well the medication works.

Panic attacks

Brand: Paxil

Form: Oral Tablet

Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg

Your doctor should wait at least 1 week before increasing your dose. Changes in dose may cause unusual changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, or thoughts of hurting yourself.

Adult Dosage (ages 18 years and older)

The starting dose is 10 mg, taken once per day.
The recommended dose is 40 mg, taken once per day.
The maximum dose is 60 mg, taken once per day.

Child Dosage (ages 0-17 years)

Dosage has not been established for people younger than 18 years.

Special considerations

Glaucoma: You should not take this drug if you have certain types of glaucoma because it may make your glaucoma worse.

History of seizures: Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures before starting this medication. It may cause or worsen seizures.

Warnings

Stopping the medication too quickly: You should not stop this medication to quickly. Stopping it too quickly could cause irritability, dizziness, or confusion. Talk to your doctor about a plan for stopping this drug.

You should not crush or chew the tablets. It may lessen how well the medication works.

Social anxiety

Brand: Paxil

Form: Oral Tablet

Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg

Your doctor should wait at least 1 week before increasing your dose. Changes in dose may cause unusual changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, or thoughts of hurting yourself.

Adult Dosage (ages 18 years and older)

20 mg, taken once per day.

Child Dosage (ages 0-17 years)

Dosage has not been established for people younger than 18 years.

Special considerations

Glaucoma: You should not take this drug if you have certain types of glaucoma because it may make your glaucoma worse.

History of seizures: Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures before starting this medication. It may cause or worsen seizures.

Warnings

Stopping the medication too quickly: You should not stop this medication to quickly. Stopping it too quickly could cause irritability, dizziness, or confusion. Talk to your doctor about a plan for stopping this drug.

You should not crush or chew the tablets. It may lessen how well the medication works.

General anxiety

Brand: Paxil

Form: Oral Tablet

Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg

Your doctor should wait at least 1 week before increasing your dose. Changes in dose may cause unusual changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, or thoughts of hurting yourself.

Adult Dosage (ages 18 years and older)

20 mg, taken once per day.

Child Dosage (ages 0-17 years)

Dosage has not been established for people younger than 18 years.

Special considerations

Glaucoma: You should not take this drug if you have certain types of glaucoma because it may make your glaucoma worse.

History of seizures: Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures before starting this medication. It may cause or worsen seizures.

Warnings

Stopping the medication too quickly: You should not stop this medication to quickly. Stopping it too quickly could cause irritability, dizziness, or confusion. Talk to your doctor about a plan for stopping this drug.

You should not crush or chew the tablets. It may lessen how well the medication works.

Disclaimer:
Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

bleeding disorders

glaucoma

heart disease

kidney disease

liver disease

low levels of sodium in the blood

mania or bipolar disorder

seizures

suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member

take MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots

an unusual or allergic reaction to paroxetine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medicine, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your doctor.

Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

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Last Updated: August 1, 2013

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